Sikkim Snow and Culture Fest 2012 | Starts from February 14

Gangtok | Sikkim: Snow   and Culture Festival, Sikkim 2012 will start from February 14. The closing   ceremony will be concluded on February 29. 2012. The event is being organized   by Travel Agent Association of Sikkim (TAAS), in collaboration with Tourism   Department and Sikkim Hotels and Restaurant Association (SHRA).Interacting   with media, Minister for Tourism department Bhim Dhungel notified that due to   earthquake state’s infrastructure received a major setback. Communication   channels, means of transportation and roads destroyed during 18/9 tragedy,   but government has been trying to restore and re-erect the damage. Department   has been focusing on tourism. During the fest, around 50 thousand tourists   are expected to come in the state.He   further informed that all reconstruction work is under process and will be   complete till March. In the proposed fiesta cultural programme, mountain   biking, adventure tour, trekking, bird watching, rock climbing will be   organized. Department is also planning to organize golf course along with the   skiing in Yumthang, North Sikkim. He further highlighted that 18/9 earthquake   has effected domestic tourism, but foreign tourists are still coming in good   numbers. Tourism department want to revive good old days, but this goal   couldn’t be achieved without the support of private agencies. He suggested   that private agencies should work according to the guidelines of tourism department.   Speaking on the road condition of the state, he hoped that all the roads will   definitely be in perfect condition till 2013. Government has sanctioned   around five hundred crores for the re-construction of roads.Similarly,   Commissioner cum Secretary of Tourism department R. Telang said that the   upcoming event will be used as an instrument to rejuvenate business, rekindle   the enthusiasm of tourism stake holders and most importantly, restore the   position of Sikkim as most favoured eco-tourism destination on the tourism   map of country as well as the world. The government of Sikkim has pledged to   provide their full support to the mission and will continue to guide its   course during the year.He   further stated that tourists can reach everywhere across the state and there   is no danger of life or property. “Yumthang valley is ready to offer them a   whole different pleasing experience”, he promised.
Sikkim   Snow and Culture Festival is an initiative of TAAS as a recovery mission of   tourism industry which went on backfoot due to 18/9 earthquake. Festival is   sincerely supported by the Government of Sikkim. It aims at showcasing the   cultural, natural, adventurous activities of Sikkim as well a talent hunt   exercise to motivate younger generation to adopt such talents and convert it   into a profession. Sikkim Snow culture fest can also bring a much-needed   boost in international tourism with various tourist oriented activities,   believed President of TAAS Lukendra Rasaily in a press conference today.Addressing   the media Mr. Rasaily informed that after the disastrous earthquake on 18th   September 2011, people of Sikkim have suffered on all fronts. To mitigate   their sufferings, Government of Sikkim undertook immediate measures for   rescue, relief and restoration works. After the completion the rescue work,   restoration of infrastructure has been taken up. In the next stage, most   imperative task of economic rebuilding will be targeted on. Tourism being the   stronghold of state’s economy, it has now been decided to rebuild the faith   and confidence of people in general and tourists in particular, with the   launch of tourism recovery mission.Core   objective of the fest is to safeguard the integrity, culture and biodiversity   of Sikkim’s tourism and floriculture. Since it is the premier industry of   Sikkim, most feasible for the economic activities and has generated huge   number of employment opportunities. Financial benefits, created out of   tourism activities trickle down to the common people. Sikkim is nearest snow   point to the South-East Asia. The fest will bring in more travellers to the   region which will bring in more wealth to the state. It will further promote   Sikkim’s rich cultural and natural heritage. Snow festival is ideally   selected for the month of February as most part of state will have a good   cover of snow. January-February is peak period for the tourism activities in   Sikkim as this time of year has its own charm.On   the occasion Minister Bhim Dhungel launched the official T Shirt and website   of Sikkim Snow and Culture fest, 2012.

By Sikkim Mail